Biological Amnion Research Articles

Heparin-Modified Amniotic Membrane Combined With Growth Factors for Promoting Corneal Wound Healing After Alkali Burn.

Ocular chemical burns are potentially blinding ocular injuries and require urgent management. Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation is an effective surgical treatment, one of the reasons is because AM is a rich source of growth factors that can promote epithelialization and wound healing. However, growth factors will be gradually lost and insufficient after preparation process and long-time storage, leading to unsatisfactory therapeutic effects. Herein, we present a modified AM (AM-HEP) for the supplement and sustained release of growth factor by surface grafting heparin for treatment of ocular chemical burns. Heparin grafting rate and stability, microstructure, physical property, and sustained release of epithelial growth factor (EGF) of AM-HEP were characterized. Biocompatibility and ability to promote corneal epithelial cell growth and migration were evaluated and compared with a biological amnion, which is available on the market in vitro. The therapeutic effects of AM-HEP combined with EGF (AM-HEP@EGF) in vivo had been evaluated in a model of mouse corneal alkali burn. The results indicated that heparin was introduced into AM and maintain stability over 3 weeks at 37°C. The modification process of AM-HEP did not affect microstructure and physical property after comparing with non-modified AM. EGF could be combined quickly and effectively with AM-HEP; the sustained release could last for more than 14 days. AM-HEP@EGF could significantly promote corneal epithelial cell growth and migration, compared with non-modified AM and control group. Faster corneal epithelialization was observed with the transplantation of AM-HEP@EGF in vivo, compared with the untreated control group. The corneas in the AM-HEP@EGF group have less inflammation and were more transparent than those in the control group. The results from in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that AM-HEP@EGF could significantly enhance the therapeutic effects. Taken together, AM-HEP@EGF is exhibited to be a potent clinical application in corneal alkali burns through accelerating corneal epithelial wound healing.

Clinical observation of biological amnion transplantation in treating the huge pterygium

Objective To observe curative effects of biological amnion transplantation to treat the huge pterygium. Methods 86 eyes were divided into two groups randomly(by random number table). Group A were eyes treated with cutting the pterygium and uncovered sclarel wound.Group B were eyes treated with biological amnion which had been transplanted on scleral wound and all conea after the pterygium had cut.The irritative symptoms, heal time of corneal wound, relapse rate after half year were recorded. Results Its mild irritative symptoms such as foreign body sensation, photophobia and pain in group B were lighter than those in group A(χ2=6.08, P=0.01, χ2=31.40, P=0.00, χ2=14.18, P=0.00). The time of corneal wound heal was 5.21±0.89 days in group A and it was (4.02±0.71)days in group B. The statistic was significant(t=6.85, P=0.00). There was no significant difference in relapse rate after half year between group A and group B(χ2=1.40, P=0.24). Conclusion Biological amnion transplantation can alleviating irritative symptoms and shortening heal time in huge pterygium operation. Key words: Pterygium; Biological amnion; Transplantation

The comparison of therapeutic effect of fresh amnion and biological amnion covering for early severe ocular surface burn

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of fresh amnion and biological amnion covering for severe ocular surface bum.Methods 34 patients 39 eyes with serious ocular surface bum were randomly divided into fresh amnion 18 cases(20 eyes) and biological amnion 16 cases(19 eyes).All cases were followed up for 4 ～ 10 months at average (6.2 ± 1.8) months after surgery to observe the clinical effects.Results There were no eye with early amnion loss and 3 eyes with second surgery in fresh amnion group.There were 2 eyes with early amnion loss and 9 eyes with second surgery in biological amnion group.The second surgery rate of both groups had significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of corneal macula,corneal leucoma and corneal neovascularization had no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The fresh amnion and biological amnion may be effective and valuable in the ocular surface reconstruction.The therapeutic effect of fresh amnion is better than biological amnion. Key words: Amnion, fresh; Amnion, biological; Ocular surface bum, severe

Focal lesion keratectomy combined with cryotherapy and biological amnion covering in the management of fungal corneal ulcer

Objective To examine the efficacy of focal lesion keratectomy combined with cryotherapy and biological amnion covering in the management of fungal corneal ulcer. Methods Seventeen patients (17 eyes) with fungal corneal ulcer were treated with focal lesion keratectomy combined with cryotherapy and biological amnion covering between January 2009 and October 2009. The course of diseases was 20 days to 3 months (36.1±16.3 days), There was a a 5 mm corneal ulcer in the 14 cases. 9 cases(9 eyes)of 17 patients had hypopyon. We investigated the healing of corneal ulcer and covering of amniotic membrane with slit lamp microscope, complications and ulcer recurrences were analysed. Results All the cases were followed up for 3 to 12 months after operation of them, Fungal infection were controlled and corneal ulcer healed within 3-4 weeks postoperatively in 11 patients, 6 cases were carried out penetrative keratoplasty because of the uncontrolled keratomycosis. Superficial amniotic membrane patches dissolved or shed on postoperative 7-10 days. No complication occurred. Conclusion Focal lesion keratectomy combined with cryotherapy and amniotic membrane covering is an effective method in the a part of patients with fungal corneal ulcer . Key words: corneal ulcer,fungal; local lesion resection; cryotherapy; amniotic membrane

Long-term effects of biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma

Background Neovascular glaucoma is a type of refractory glaucoma.Biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation is a primary therapy and its long-term effectiveness is noticeable. Objective The goal of this Survey was to evaluate the effectiveness of biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma and compare the clinical outcome with simple glaucoma valve implantation. Methods This was a retrospective observational case series.The clinical data of 44 eyes of 44 patients received biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma and 43 eyes of 43 patients received simple glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed and compared.The age,sex and disease-cause were matched between these two groups.Patients were followed-up for 24 months after operation.Surgery success was identified as the intraocular pressure(IOP) 0.05). Conclusion The biological amnion combined with glaucoma valve implantation surgery may be more effective and safe for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma than with glaucoma va]ve only. Key words: Biological amnion; Glaucoma valve; Glaueoma/neovascular

Observe the effects of limbal stem cell transplantation and biological amnion transplantation on pterygium

目的 观察角膜缘干细胞移植和生物羊膜移植治疗翼状胬肉的临床疗效.方法 将58例(66眼)随机分为2组,分别采用角膜缘干细胞移植32例(36眼)和生物羊膜移植26例(30眼),术后随访6个月～2年.结果 角膜缘干细胞移植组复发1眼,复发率2.78%,生物羊膜移植组复发7眼,复发率23.33%.两组比较差异有统计学意义.角膜创面愈合时间:角膜缘干细胞组1～3 d,平均为(1.85±0.95)d,生物羊膜组2～5 d,平均为(3.36±1.65)d.结论 带角膜缘干细胞移植和生物羊膜移植术治疗翼状胬肉都能取得良好效果,但带角膜缘干细胞移植比生物羊膜移植角膜创面修复快,复发率低。